Abstract

A field experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to investigate the impact of varietal maturity and planting date on tarnished plant bug in cotton. Four planting dates were selected to encompass the entire standard cotton planting window for the Delta region of Mississippi. The planting dates included mid-April (April 20, 2010), early-May (May 6, 2010), mid-May (May 19, 2010), and early-June (June 2, 2010). An early maturing variety, Deltapine 0912 B2RF (DP0912B2RF), and a late maturing variety, Deltapine 0949 B2RF(DP0949B2RF) were planted at each planting date. Fewer foliar insecticide applications were needed at the earlier planting dates. Lint yields of cotton were higher and percent yield loss was lower for DP0912B2RF than DP0949B2RF. Earlier planting dates sustained less percent yield loss and achieved greater lint yield than did later planting dates.